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ANI Kwanzaa Celebration
Peter Rotich (far left) and his children Nicholas Rotich (center) and daughter Destiny Rotich light one of the Mishumaa Saba, or seven candles, which stand for the Nguzo Saba, or the seven principles of Kwanzaa during a Kwanzaa celebration held Friday, Dec. 26, 2014 at the Bolton Community Center. The Rotiches were lighting a candle for Ujima which stands for the principle of collective works and responsibility. The seven principles of Kwanzaa are Umogja: unity; Kujichagulia: self determination; Ujima: collective work and responsibility; Ujamaa: cooperative economics; Nia: purpose; Kuumba: creativity and Imani: faith.-Melinda Martinez/mmartinez@thetowntalk.com Melinda Martinez/mmartinez@thetowntalk.com, The Town Talk

ANI Kwanzaa Celebration
The Rev. Carla Joseph (front, left) and the Rev. Ronnie Sibley perform the libation tradition using a Kikombe Cha Umoja, or unity cup, during a Kwanzaa celebration held Friday, Dec. 26, 2014 at the Bolton Community Center. This is an African tradition where libation is poured to honor God, elders, ancestors and leaders of the struggle for freedom and justice of fall people. Water is poured on soil as a promise to nurture the land and is a reminder of God's gift to man. During the ceremony -Melinda Martinez/mmartinez@thetowntalk.com Melinda Martinez/mmartinez@thetowntalk.com, The Town Talk

ANI Kwanzaa Celebration
Rosa Ashby Metoyer tells a story about an old woman who told her husband to go pull yams during a Kwanzaa celebration held Friday, Dec. 26, 2014 at the Bolton Community Center.-Melinda Martinez/mmartinez@thetowntalk.com Melinda Martinez/mmartinez@thetowntalk.com, The Town Talk

Peter Rotich (far left) and his children, Nicholas Rotich (center) and daughter Destiny Rotich, light one of the Mishumaa Saba, or seven candles, which stand for the Nguzo Saba, or the seven principles of Kwanzaa, during a Kwanzaa celebration held Friday in the Bolton Avenue Community Center.(Photo: Melinda Martinez/mmartinez@thetowntalk.com)

Community Kwanzaa Celebration co-hosted by the Sankofa Cultural Collective and the Arna Bontemps African American Museum & Cultural Arts Center.

The Kwanzaa celebration lasts seven days, but local supporters are hoping its principles are practiced year-round.

Kwanzaa began Friday, and a community gathering in the Bolton Avenue Community Center in Alexandria celebrated the cultural event with dancing, singing, speeches, poetry, children's activities and symbolism.

"It is a way to celebrate family and heritage, culture and community. That's why it's a community event, and everybody's welcome," said Karen Riley Simmons of the Sankofa Cultural Collective, which teamed with the Arna Bontemps African-American Museum in sponsoring the event.

"It is a distinctly African-American holiday because it is not celebrated in Africa. It was created here in America for African-Americans, but the roots are in Africa," Simmons said.

Stephanie Bookman, president of the museum, said the principles of Kwanzaa are important to all of society.

"There's a lot of things happening in our world today — violence, many of our communities are struck by different things that are happening that are extremely hurtful. I think it is important that as a community, it's our responsibility to take care of our communities and to teach unity," Bookman said.

"And that's what Kwanzaa's all about. It helps with the principles and fundamentals of unity and coming together as a people, and that's not just African-Americans. It's all-inclusive. It represents our entire community," she said.

Eight-year-old Miracle Stevenson was among the children taking part in Kwanzaa-related arts, crafts and coloring at the celebration.

"It's nice, and it's really fun, and you get to do activities when you're here," Miracle said.

She colored drawings of drums and also joined others in singing, including the song "Lift Every Voice and Sing."

Although it comes around in the same general time period as Christmas and Hannukah, Kwanzaa is a cultural holiday rather than a religious holiday. It was created by Maulana Karenga in 1965 as an African-American holiday.

The program for the event in Alexandria suggested ways for families to celebrate Kwanzaa at home,

Bookman said the principles of Kwanzaa "can be carried into the home, into the families, and then they can spill out into the community, which is something that is done all year long."